Here's a cynical little look at marital life, the title translating as Unhappy He Who Has a Wife. But the full lyrics offer a more complicated picture, with women having the final advantage:

Unhappy he who has a wife,

Unhappy he who has none!

He who has none wants one,

He who has one wants none!

Happy is the woman

Who has the man she needs!

But she is still more happy,

The one who hasn't any!

Canteloube gives the lyrics a merry 3/4 swing, the two verses separated by an orchestral interlude with a related theme played by solo woodwinds and sleigh bells. As usual in this series, the rich, bright orchestration draws as much attention as the vocal line, although Canteloube is careful to rein in the orchestra during the song's vocal sections.

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